Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “Evolution of the Indian Constitution: A Historical Perspective” for Civil Services Examination preparation
1. The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first step by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of which entity?
- A. British East India Company
- B. French East India Company
- C. Portuguese Empire in India
- D. Mughal Empire
Answer: A. British East India Company
2. Which of the following acts created the position of the Governor-General of Bengal?
- A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- B. Regulating Act, 1773
- C. Charter Act, 1833
- D. Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: B. Regulating Act, 1773
3. The Charter Act of 1833 is significant because it:
- A. Abolished the monopoly of the East India Company in trade
- B. Made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India
- C. Introduced the concept of a federal structure
- D. Ended the British East India Company’s rule in India
Answer: B. Made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India
4. The Government of India Act, 1858 transferred the power to govern India from the East India Company to:
- A. The British Parliament
- B. The Secretary of State for India
- C. The British Crown
- D. The Governor-General of India
Answer: C. The British Crown
5. The Indian Councils Act of 1861 marked the beginning of:
- A. The introduction of Indians into the legislative process
- B. Self-government in India
- C. Abolition of the East India Company’s monopoly
- D. A federal structure in India
Answer: A. The introduction of Indians into the legislative process
6. Which Act provided for the establishment of a bicameral legislature at the central level for the first time?
- A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
- B. Government of India Act, 1919
- C. Government of India Act, 1935
- D. Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1919
7. The Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act, 1909) introduced which of the following for the first time in India?
- A. A federal system
- B. Separate electorates for Muslims
- C. A bicameral legislature
- D. Provisions for self-government
Answer: B. Separate electorates for Muslims
8. Which of the following Acts introduced the concept of “Dyarchy” in provincial governments?
- A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
- B. Indian Councils Act, 1861
- C. Government of India Act, 1919
- D. Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: C. Government of India Act, 1919
9. The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for:
- A. Dyarchy at the provincial level
- B. A federal structure with autonomy to provinces
- C. Dominion status for India
- D. Introduction of a unicameral legislature
Answer: B. A federal structure with autonomy to provinces
10. The first attempt to draft a Constitution for India was made under:
- A. The Cripps Mission
- B. The Cabinet Mission Plan
- C. The Mountbatten Plan
- D. The Simon Commission
Answer: B. The Cabinet Mission Plan
11. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
- A. Mahatma Gandhi
- B. Jawaharlal Nehru
- C. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- D. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: D. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
12. The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on:
- A. August 15, 1947
- B. November 26, 1949
- C. January 26, 1949
- D. January 26, 1950
Answer: B. November 26, 1949
13. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were implemented through which of the following Acts?
- A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
- B. Government of India Act, 1919
- C. Government of India Act, 1935
- D. Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1919
14. The Simon Commission was boycotted by Indians because:
- A. It proposed partition of India
- B. It had no Indian members
- C. It recommended complete independence
- D. It proposed separate electorates
Answer: B. It had no Indian members
15. The Poona Pact of 1932 was an agreement between:
- A. Congress and Muslim League
- B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi
- C. Congress and British Government
- D. Hindus and Sikhs
Answer: B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi
16. Which of the following is considered the precursor to the Indian Constitution?
- A. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
- B. Government of India Act, 1935
- C. Indian Independence Act, 1947
- D. Simon Commission Report
Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1935
17. The Objective Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru, became the basis for which part of the Indian Constitution?
- A. Fundamental Rights
- B. Preamble
- C. Directive Principles of State Policy
- D. Federal structure
Answer: B. Preamble
18. The Cripps Mission of 1942 was aimed at:
- A. Offering dominion status to India after World War II
- B. Proposing a partition plan for India
- C. Repealing the Government of India Act, 1935
- D. Introducing full self-government in India
Answer: A. Offering dominion status to India after World War II
19. The Constituent Assembly of India was set up under the recommendations of:
- A. Simon Commission
- B. Cripps Mission
- C. Cabinet Mission
- D. Mountbatten Plan
Answer: C. Cabinet Mission
20. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was passed by:
- A. The Indian National Congress
- B. The British Parliament
- C. The Constituent Assembly
- D. The League of Nations
Answer: B. The British Parliament
21. Who was the first President of the Constituent Assembly of India?
- A. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- B. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
- C. Jawaharlal Nehru
- D. B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: B. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
22. The term “Secular” was added to the Indian Constitution by which amendment?
- A. 42nd Amendment
- B. 44th Amendment
- C. 52nd Amendment
- D. 24th Amendment
Answer: A. 42nd Amendment
23. The idea of “Fundamental Duties” was borrowed from which country?
- A. USSR (now Russia)
- B. USA
- C. France
- D. United Kingdom
Answer: A. USSR (now Russia)
24. The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution was inspired by:
- A. The US Constitution
- B. The Irish Constitution
- C. The French Revolution
- D. The British Constitution
Answer: B. The Irish Constitution
25. Who proposed the Union Constitution Committee in the Constituent Assembly?
- A. Jawaharlal Nehru
- B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- C. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- D. Mahatma Gandhi
Answer: A. Jawaharlal Nehru
26. The Indian Constitution was finally enforced on:
- A. January 26, 1950
- B. November 26, 1949
- C. August 15, 1947
- D. January 26, 1949
Answer: A. January 26, 1950
27. Which part of the Constitution of India deals with the Union and its territory?
- A. Part I
- B. Part III
- C. Part IV
- D. Part VI
Answer: A. Part I
28. The “Basic Structure Doctrine” was established in which landmark case?
- A. Golaknath Case
- B. Kesavananda Bharati Case
- C. Minerva Mills Case
- D. Berubari Case
Answer: B. Kesavananda Bharati Case
29. Which of the following countries’ political system influenced the parliamentary system of government in India?
- A. USA
- B. France
- C. United Kingdom
- D. Canada
Answer: C. United Kingdom
30. Who was the last Governor-General of independent India?
- A. Lord Mountbatten
- B. C. Rajagopalachari
- C. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- D. V.P. Menon
Answer: B. C. Rajagopalachari
These MCQs cover key moments in the evolution of the Indian Constitution and will aid in Civil Services Examination preparation.
